Mysore/Mysuru, July 24 -- Hundreds of traders staged a protest in the city yesterday, demanding the externment of Ramesh Kumar Mali, accused of extorting money from merchants in Santhepet, Shivarampet and Bandipalya.

The traders alleged that Mali has been repeatedly demanding 'hafta' from them and threatening those who refuse.

The protest, organised under the banner of Mysore Traders Suraksha Welfare Association, was held at the premises of Sri Tripura Bhairavi Mutt's Anjaneyaswamy Temple at Shivarampet First Cross.

Traders shared their ordeal and demanded immediate action to extern Mali from the district, citing multiple Police cases already registered against him.

Former Corporator Prashanth Gowda said, several cases against Mali ar...